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Obama to Visit Newtown Families, First Responders Sunday Night

The president is scheduled to attend a 7 p.m. interfaith vigil to meet the families of those killed in Friday's school shooting and to thank first responders.

Update 7:19 p.m., Dec. 15

President Barack Obama is scheduled to travel to Newtown to meet the families of victims killed in Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and to thank first responders, according to a press release issued by the White House.

"The President will also speak at an interfaith vigil for families of the victims as well as families from Sandy Hook Elementary School scheduled for 7 p.m.," the press release said. "More details will be released as they are available."

According to the Hartford Courant, Obama will not make any public appearances during his visit.

Original Story

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton Tweeted the helicopters people heard over Danbury today were an advance team setting up for a possible presidential visit early next week.

"We don't know when at this point," Boughton said.

The helicopters visited Danbury Municipal Airport and other locations in the city. The mayor didn't know if the helicopters visited Newtown yet.

"Those helicopters you hear are the Presidential advance team. No details on what day the President is coming," was one of the mayor's Tweets.

Airport Administrator Paul Estefan declined to say anything at all about the helicopters or the president or any visit. Estefan said when President Clinton visited Danbury, the advance team arrived three months before the visit.

"They are scouting landing locations. He's not with them," Boughton Tweeted, referring to the president.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting began at about 9:30 a.m. Friday. In all, 27 people were killed, police said, including 20 children. Among the adults killed were the school’s beloved principal and psychologist.

The identities of all victims have been established, according to State Police Spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance. Families of those killed have asked that no media members press them for interviews.

Doris December 16, 2012 at 11:26 pm
There is nothing wrong with the President going to show repsect to all the families that lost a loved one. He is a father and a family man-he feels for the families and is able to go and show this. Lets remember he is human being and has feelings and emotions like anyone else. The ones that have all the time to sit around and bash others for caring should step back and take a good look at yourself. My thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost a loved one. I also think of the children that witnessed this act of violence toward classmates in there school. My heart goes out to all the people affected by this.
Thelma Jackson December 16, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Ignorance!!!!! The President has children. Let him do his job stop the negativity, we all need support and healing as citizens of the United States of America. This hurts all of us. Pray for these families that lost Babies. This is not the time to HATE ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!! Or did you forget who he is.
Angie S. Blevins December 16, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Please stop!! This is the very behavior that it tearing this country apart. We need to stand united for these families no matter our political affliation might be. Please just post your condolences and nothing more. The world's eyes are on us because of this horrible event. Let the world see what we the best country in the world. Just stop.
Frank C. December 16, 2012 at 11:46 pm
THUHUIHEI, Your comment about Peter Lanza not being a good father to his son and this would not have happened if he had, was totally irresponsible, mean spirited and uninformed! Are you God? How do you know what would have happened? There are many criminals that come from stable and good homes. No one knows why people like this do what they do. You should be ashamed of yourself for punishing a family that is also mourning and suffering. Try a little compassion, something this world needs more of!
A.J December 16, 2012 at 11:55 pm
um...Angie, saying "we (are) the best country in the world" is kind of the thinking that got us into trouble in the first place. I think a little humility is in order for us, the country with the highest murder rate in the world. I think it's really time we figure out why, in order for this to never happen again. That is why I've brought up the reasons I've listed.
Mike December 16, 2012 at 11:58 pm
The person of the POTUS is representing all the people tonight in a Newton. It does not matter who the man is, he represents te Office of The Presidency of the United States. He goes on our behalf to offer consolation, prayers and quite frankly the love of a nation tat s hurting. I have lots of differences with Mr. Obama's policies, but I am very happy he is in Newton, CT tonight on our behalf. I pray for him that he finds the right words to help these families.
L December 17, 2012 at 12:22 am
If Obama didn't show up all the haters would be complaining.
Tasha December 17, 2012 at 12:28 am
The four agreements... be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best. To Bob, you are making assumptions on POTUS. I just checked his staff list and your not on it. Which means you are making assumptions of how he feels and thinks. Your statments are not based
on fact, but how you are taking this visit personally when it doesn't concern you at all. You are projecting your fears and trying to feel better by throwing on a blog. If your not happy with how the country is, do your best andrun for office or be involved in the process. Be impeccable with your word and do something about it instead of belittling those who feel comforted by a President, any President, showing they are human.
Nc6635 December 17, 2012 at 01:05 am
Instead of us passing judgement on what the families think of what the president is planning on doing, why don't we let them speak for themselves! None of us are in their shoes, so who is to say wht may be comforting to them!
Nc6635 December 17, 2012 at 01:11 am
I guess you can speak for all of Newtown, Catherine!
Douglas Wilcox December 17, 2012 at 01:54 am
Create a law to take the semi automatic weapons away. They are not hunting guns , they should be for military and law enforcement use only.
Nik December 17, 2012 at 02:05 am
If this was a private meeting with the families and no press was allowed, how come it was on TV??
A.J December 17, 2012 at 02:18 am
A moving article to read concerning mental illness and the need for true changes in our healthcare: http://gawker.com/5968818/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother
Ivan Bial December 17, 2012 at 04:48 am
Sadly there are people that make everything political.
Even sadder they are unable to put their hatred for our President aside and be concerned for the families of the murdered. Again we as a country mourn the death children, innocent children .
Linda Christian December 17, 2012 at 05:58 am
Like it or not.. Obama is our President and he represents the American people... And the American people are sadden by the tragic act.... These people need to know that America is coming together to support those who lost children and school staff members... Knock off the stupid remarks and respect a man who is a good father and is feeling the same pain as the rest of us....
Linda Christian December 17, 2012 at 06:26 am
The American people are sadden by this tragic act.... We need to erase the killers name from our minds... He need not be remembered, the victims need to be remembered. So America remember the names of those children and staff members, they should NEVER be forgotten....... Thank you President Obama for going and letting the families in Newtown know America is feeling their pain..... Rest in Peace and may GOD comfort those whos hearts of broken.... ((hugs)) from Langhorne, PA
Frank C. December 17, 2012 at 01:11 pm
Ohhhh people, give it a rest! The elections are over and the people decided! Now let's move on and let the President do what a President should from any party. Go to a town that is going through a tragedy, give condolences, comfort people and children, and show the community that the nation is with them in a time of need. Bush went to NY after 9/11 and everyone thought it was great and the nation came together as one! For awhile, people were actually civil and pleasant to one another. Let's get over the hate for the other side or guy and come together as a nation. In some way I'm sure the animosity we have for each other today is the cause of a rise in these violent attacks. Don't let the politicians and media divide us any further!
yannaro December 17, 2012 at 01:30 pm
Some folks seem to think the killer's name should never be mentioned again. Even Anderson Cooper said that last night. That would be a mistake. We need to know Adam lanza's name and we need to associate it with what he did. If he goes nameless it will be easier to forget the horror. It will be easier to shirk our duty to try and prevent such senseless tragedy. Think of adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
Phil December 17, 2012 at 04:19 pm
Typical Democrat to use the death of children to grand satnd on their goal of banning guns from Americans. Democrats would love nothing more than repeated deaths so they can munufacture fear to ban guns. If guns are outlawed, then only outlaws will have guns. The second amendment to bears orms is to protect the citizens from OUR government! Not so we can hunt.
bob young December 17, 2012 at 04:47 pm
That was certainly the objective behind obama's fast and furious operation which put thousands of assault rifles in the hands of violent Mexican drug cartels. These guns were used to kill thousands of Mexicans many of whom were children, and a US border partrol agent. I guess in obama's eyes the lives of Mexican children do not count. obama is such a hypocrite, and his prime objective here is to use this tragedy to further infringe upon 2nd amendment rights
barbara beyer December 17, 2012 at 05:23 pm
Children are precious and loved and its a great loss. We had a three year old die in an arson's fire and they never heard a word or a visit from mr. President.
Does that mean his life wasn't as important as the 20 that were lost friday. It would be hard for him to do so for all the murdered children in the usa .The families dont need the spotlight on them at this time. Why can't mr. President wait for a little bit and let the families morn and go there quietly and not make a circus out of this. There is to much media there already. Please keep politics out of this.
CammieB December 17, 2012 at 06:11 pm
Really Barbara? Circus like this:
\http://gawker.com/5969019/heres-obama-meeting-with-families-of-the-newtown-shooting-last-night Apparently you are wrong! The families are now starting to share their family photos taken with our President.
MaryAnn Benevenuto December 17, 2012 at 06:22 pm
I could not agree more. The press (CNN in particular) used Obama's appearance last night as an opportunity to set his political agenda. Newtown is a family place - good hard working people. Not surprising, it is overwhelmingly Republican. The left wingers and the media couls never report fairly . Go home BO and take your cronies with you.
deb December 17, 2012 at 10:05 pm
I'm so disgusted by some of these post. This is what's wrong with this country today. The town of newton is going through a devastating time and instead of people coming together,we have hattred and racist remarks being posted.This is not about politics or racism, this is about the beautiful innocent children and the couragous teachers that lost their lives due to an evil soul. My heart goes out to the entire community, to the families that are suffering, and to the children, teachers and law enforcement that had to witness this disgusting crime. Please have respect for this town and keep the negative post to yourself.
Heather LoCascio December 18, 2012 at 03:05 am
My name is Heather. Please people!!! We need to come together and figure out how to keep our children safe.. This country has such a lack of morals and values. What happened!!?? Things did not used to be this way. We really need to sit back and figure out where things went wrong .. Weather the shooter had a disorder or not, every one needs to learn right from wrong!!! I'm a parent, and I can't even fathom what these people are going through. I did not vote for Obama, but I admire him for visiting these families. He is a father!!! We all need to stick together and keep our children safe. And for Joe M, enough with the racist comments!!!! I could give two shits if the President was black, purple or blue!!!! Slavery ended a long time ago!!! Stop assuming all white people are bad. If I had personally been a part of this horrible tragedy , I would appreciate a visit from our Persident.
bob young December 18, 2012 at 03:44 am
Ive not seen a single racist remark. Just people very disastified with obama and his obvious desire to take advantage of crises. If there has been a racist remark please be specific about what it was that was racist
bob young December 18, 2012 at 03:46 am
what was joe m's racist comment? I havent seen a single racist comment in all these posts. BTW I dont believe you did not vote for obama.
Cyou Soon December 18, 2012 at 03:58 am
My earlier comment was for the racist commentors they know who they are it has nothing to do with politics....Bad time for the racist remarks that are being written about the president he is a father of children of his own as am I and can imagine the grief these parents and family members must be going through.... if my earlier comment offended you Frank check yourself !
Stephen Marton December 19, 2012 at 10:34 pm
hey Phil - sorry but stop dreaming ...Your guns will do nothing but scratch paint if the Government ever turn on you. (with the weapons they have!! ).. The 2nd amendment was written when the best we had we're muskets. I think our founding fathers would be ashamed looking around now
Lydia December 20, 2012 at 04:36 am
EXACTLY!! These IDIOTS cannot even get past their bitterness and hatred during such a terrible time.It was NECESSARY for the President to come. They are SUCH freaking hypocrites because if he WOULDN'T have come, they would have been bitching about his insensitivity.

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Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 01:47 pm
Why is it the panel for this event does not include a single advocate for gun-owners' rights? WithRead More all due respect to Chief McNamara, why does the panel no include a person who can speak to gun safety from a gun-owning civilian's perspective? ML, you claim that the assembled folks "do not offer judgements about gun ownership" but they are not including a single voice that can offer perspective on gun ownership. I have been to "education" sessions sponsored by Meg's March for Change and they are one-sided indoctrinations into gun control advocacy. >>>> I was in Hartford for the public hearings in January when both Meg and March co-founder Nancy gave their personal testimonies and they all but threatened the legislators on the panel with election day retribution for all those who did not tow the gun-control line of thinking (i.e. March and CAGV). To suggest that Meg "does not offer judgements" is fallacious and disingenuous.
DOR June 19, 2013 at 08:56 am
I'm o n Butterfield. No sightings here. Any specifics as to her location?
Carol Chapman June 19, 2013 at 09:23 am
Norma has been spotted this morning at the intersection of Kenan and Currituck. The red leash isRead More still attached. She was trying to eat a dead squirrel on Currituck. Very skittish, but still in the neighborhood (yay). Please watch for her. My husband and sister-in-law (who first spotted her on Currituck this morning) were unable to get near her. She's in the woods, heading toward Butterfield. Her foster mom is on the scene now. Folks in the neighborhood, please watch for her and call 203-942-4008 if you see her.
Carol Chapman June 19, 2013 at 11:20 am
Carolee Mason (Newtown's Animal Control Officer) is watching her from her car at the moment, armedRead More with catfood to tempt her closer. The foster mom is on her way there again, this time with chicken, and Laura is on her way with hamburger. Problem is, this dog is VERY shy, skittish and quick to run away.
Betsy Kraushaar June 17, 2013 at 07:54 am
If you have goodies left that you are interested in donating to our Girl Scout Troop...pleaseRead More contact me. Our troop has been saving/ fundraising for a senior trip to Europe for the past 5 years. Thanks in advance, Betsy
Llyod Christmas June 17, 2013 at 09:01 pm
Hi Betsy! We have tons of children's books left, and would be more than happy to donate them. HowRead More should I get in touch with you to drop them off?
Betsy Kraushaar June 17, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Lloyd, My email is betsykraushaar@charter.net....I'd love to get some books...Thanks!!!
Every Friday, Rain or Shine, Lone Activist Stands
Elissa Bass June 14, 2013 at 08:44 pm
I do too.
Amy Pare June 16, 2013 at 09:28 am
This is amazing. Where is she standing?